'Forbes' Releases List of the Highest-Paid Dead Celebrities of 2023

Forbes has released its list of the 13 highest-paid dead celebrities of 2023. The $470 million combined cume is far less than last year’s $1.6 billion gross. Forbes notes the decline is partially due to last year’s list being fueled by artist's estates selling off their back catalogs. This year, only Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek made the list for that reason.

“The companies that are out there buying up the catalogs have in some ways exhausted their capital,” entertainment lawyer Bernard Resnick tells Forbes. “It’s also more expensive to borrow money,” Resnick explained, making it more difficult for companies to “buy as many or pay as much” for estates.

As a result, this year’s list is a more-typical-than-normal list of reliable earners. Troubled superstar Michael Jackson reclaimed the top spot for the first time in four years with earnings of $115 million. He was followed by Elvis ($100 million) and Manzarek ($45 million). Dr. Seuss ($40 million) and Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz ($30 million) rounded out the top five.

Though he’s too recently deceased to make 2023’s list, billionaire Jimmy Buffet is expected to dominate the rankings in 2024. A few weeks after the Margaritaville singer passed away in September, he notched the first number one hit of his career.

Below are the top ten highest-paid dead celebrities of 2023. You can check out the complete list here.

1. Michael Jackson $115 million

2. Elvis $100 million

3. Ray Manzarek $45 million

4. Dr. Seuss $40 million

5. Charles M. Schulz $30 million

6. Prince $30 million

7. Whitney Houston $30 million

8. John Lennon $22 million

9. Bob Marley $16 million

10. Bing Crosby $14 million